Decreased macular leukocyte velocity in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals

Am J Ophthalmol. 2001 Nov;132(5):711-9. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(01)01201-6.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals have decreased macular capillary blood flow in vivo.

Design: Case control study.

Methods: Macular leukocyte velocity and perceived leukocyte density were determined in 41 HIV-infected individuals without cytomegalovirus retinitis and 31 HIV-negative control subjects using the blue field simulation technique (BFS-2000, Oculix, Inc., Jenkintown, PA). Velocity and density measurements for HIV-infected individuals were compared to current and lowest previous CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts, HIV RNA blood levels, and blood leukocyte counts.

Results: Mean macular leukocyte velocity was lower in HIV-infected individuals than in controls (P = 0.0006). No correlations were identified between velocity measurements and the following factors in HIV-infected individuals: current or lowest previous CD4+ T-lymphocyte count; or HIV RNA blood level. Mean perceived leukocyte density in HIV-infected individuals was lower than in controls (P = 0.003), but was not correlated with blood leukocyte count in HIV-infected individuals. No relationships were identified between macular leukocyte velocity and duration of medication use or duration of elevated CD4+ T-lymphocyte count in patients receiving potent antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusions: Reduced macular leukocyte velocity may have important implications for understanding the retinal microvasculopathy of HIV disease, the pathogenesis of opportunistic retinal infections, and visual dysfunction in HIV-infected individuals who do not have opportunistic retinal infections. We found no evidence that macular leukocyte velocity increased with immune reconstitution.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Capillaries
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Eye Infections, Viral / drug therapy
  • Eye Infections, Viral / physiopathology*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / physiopathology*
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Leukocytes / physiology*
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Retinal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Retinal Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Retinal Vessels / drug effects
  • Retinal Vessels / physiopathology*
  • Vision, Entoptic

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • RNA, Viral